Building structure clip means



A. C. OLSEN BUILDING STRUCTURE CLIP MEANS Jan. 19, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 10, 1955 Jan. 19, 1960 A. c. OLSEN 2,921,464

BUILDING STRUCTURE CLIP MEANS Filed March 10, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 19, 1960 A. C. OLSEN BUILDING STRUCTURE CLIP MEANS Filed March 10, 1955 TJEPZ 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 19, 1960 A. OLSEN 2,921,464

BUILDING STRUCTURE CLIP MEANS Filed March 10, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 T; :J 7. I Tmz l 5 H -fi E- -M L1 T 1 0mm 254 66 1 r 4:} W256 I; 25% T II I 3 X50 United States Patent BUILDING STRUCTURE CLIP MEANS Anders C. Olsen, Forest Hills, N.Y. Application March 10, 1955, Serial No. 493,370

13 Claims. 01. 72-118) The present invention relates to clip means for building structures particularly adapted to secure panel units to support members, as is proposed in my prior United States Patent No. 2,307,899 of January 12, 1943. As there explained, such clip means are designed to facilitate fastening panelling, such as gypsum or insulating lath, to support members in the fabrication of wall and ceiling constructions, particularly of the plaster type, and clip means of the present invention are particularly adapted to the mounting of such panelling units to support members of the channel-like type characterized by side proj'ections or lateral flanges.

A general object of the present invention is to provide such clip means and various embodiments thereof which can be manufactured readily and economically on a mass production basis from single pieces of resilient metallic material or wire by simple bending, the resulting clip devices being easily employed to clamp edge zones of such panel units to such channel-like support members by manipulative procedure of a blind hooking character without requiring diflicult guiding observation or fishing insertion of parts through holes in support members while eliminating need for auxiliary fastening devices.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide clip devices of an intermediate character adapted securely to fasten opposed juxtaposed spaced edges of a pair of such panel units to a lateral projection or side flange of a channel-like support member by loop and clamping means which elfectively bridge across the seam defined by the spaced panel edges and book through the seam in behind the lateral projection or side flange, such clip devices permitting successive insertion of the opposed panel edges with ease without tendency of undue tilting of the devices after insertion of one of the panel edges which would tend to complicate the following insertion of the other opposed panel edge.

Another object of the present invention is to provide embodiments of such intermediate clip devices each of which may be simply mounted by locating it adjacent and in front of a supporting channel side flange or lateral projection wholly beyond the edge of a panel unit, tilting it laterally to swing its clamping means in behind the flange or projection, turning it back to orient loop means thereof generally parallel to the outer face of the panel edge and then sliding it along the supporting channel to lap the panel edge by the loop means and securely clamp the panel edge to the channel While providing between the channel and a remaining portion of the loop means an open slot for ready sliding reception of an edge of the next panel unit with secure clamping of the latter.

A further object of the invention is to provide embodi-' ments of such intermediate clip devices which can be made in a single bending operation thereby simplifying production.

Still another object of the invention is to provide marginal clip devices which maybe easily hooked behind and then over substantially parallel supporting member side projections or lateral flanges and panel edge zones abutted thereagainst in lapped relation securely to anchor them together.

A still further object of the invention is to provide such ice marginal clip devices with additional means behind which may be snapped a blind flange of a trim channel for secure anchorage thereof to the face of the panel with the latter in turn securely fastened to support members; certain embodiments thereof being adapted efliciently to perform both functions and simultaneously to engage meeting portions of both of two right angularly-arranged support members.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construc tions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view, to reduced scale, with parts broken away, of a building wall construction showing the employment of an embodiment of intermediate clip means of the present invention employed to secure adjacent panel units to channel studs; I

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view with parts broken away, of part of the structure shown in Fig. 1 illustrating one of the clip devices substantially to full scale as employed in clamping juxtaposed spaced edges of a pair of panel units to a wall stud;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view, with parts broken away, of wall construction illustrated in Fig. 2, taken substantially on line 33 thereof;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the clip device illustrated in Figs.. 1, 2 and 3;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of a modified form of the clip device illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 incl.;

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view similar to Fig. 2, illustrating another embodiment of the clip devices shown in Figs. 1 to 5 incl.;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3, taken substantially on line 77 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view, with parts broken away, similar to Fig. 2, illustrating use of still another embodiment of the clip device of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the clip device illustrated in Fig. 8;

Figs. 10 and 11 are perspective views similar to Fig. 9 of still other modifications of the clip devices shown in Figs. 1 to 9 incl.;

Fig. 12 is a vertical section of wall construction, with parts broken away and substantially to full scale, showing employment of an end channel in association with cross channels, such as wall studs, to which are secured panel units by means of clip devices of the present invention including a marginal clip device for anchoring the marginal zone of a panel unit to a ceiling or floor end channel;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the marginal clip device illustrated in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view, similar to the lower portion of Fig. 12, of wall construction showing the employment with such panel units of trim or baseboard channel anchored in position by a modified form of marginal clip device;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view, similar to Fig. 13, of the marginal clip device shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a modified form of the marginal clip device shown in Figs. 14 and 15 which may, if desired, be used in combination with the clip device of Fig. 13 to perform the functions of the clip device illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15;

Fi 17 is a front elevational view, with parts broken latter. I flanges or rods provide lateral projections behind which anchoring or clamping elements of such clip devices may -.be snapped. Structural or furring members of these away, of a portion of wall construction, such as that illustrated in Fig. 12, showing two further modified forms of the marginal clip devices illustrated in Figs. 12 to 16 incl.; Y

. Fig. 18 is a sectional view similar to the lower portion of Fig. 12, showing in side elevation either of the two forms of the marginal clip devices illustrated in Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a transverse sectional view, with parts broken away, taken substantially on line 1919 of Fig. 17;

Figs. 20 and 21 are perspective views of the two different forms of the marginal clip devices illustrated in Fig. 17; and

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of still another form of the marginal clip device of the present invention.

As will be seen from the drawings, wherein like numerals identify similar parts throughout, the intermediate clip devices of the present invention are particularly adapted to anchor or secure various types of wall and ceiling panels, such as gypsum and insulating laths, to panel-supporting members. Such panel-supporting members may be of the framing or structural type as well as of the furring type, such as channel studding, channel joists, bar joists, fiirring channels, and the like, which are characterized by laterally-offset means in the form of longitudinally-extending flanges or pencil rods at their panel-abutting edges which give appreciable width to the These laterally-ofiset longitudinally-extending types are herein referred to as panel-supporting channellike members, or, more simply, as panel-supporting members." The intermediate clip devices of the present invention are each formed of a single elongated piece of resilient metallic material, such as iron or steel wire, bent to the proper shape and may be of any desired crosssectional shape, such as circular, square, rectangular or flattened, triangular, etc. Each embodiment of the intermediate clip means of the present invention is characterized by a loop section, a pair of spacing means sections and an anchoring or clamping section. The loop section is suitably bent to provide in a common fiat plane loop means having oppositely-extending loop portions which together will bridge across spaced juxtaposed edges of a pair of panel units and abut against the outer faces of edge zones thereof. The spacing means sections are bent to provide a pair of laterally-spaced spacing means preferably in the form of elongated members or elements extending rearwardly from the loop means and generally normal to the plane of the latter for insertion between the juxtaposed spaced panel edges, so that both of the spacing means are disposed generally in the plane of the seam defined by the spaced panel edges. The anchoring or clamping section extends from the rear end of one of the spacing means and is bent laterally in behind the loop means to hook about and to the rear of a laterally-oflset longitudinally-extending side projection of a panel-abutting edge structure of the type mentioned above. The anchoring or clamping section is defined by the bending thereof into a hook portion and a succeeding elongated clamping portion or extension with the latter disposed in behind the loop means in a plane generally parallel to the loop plane and spaced rearwardly an appreciable distance from the latter to receive and clamp therebetween the lateral side projection or flange of the panel-supporting member or channel and the panel structure abutted to the edge of the latter. The clamping portion or extension is of such length and orientation as to lie behind both of the oppositelyextending loop portions of the loop means and along the supporting side projection or channel flange so that the clip will clamp securely to the latter both of the juxtaposed panel edges at the seam. Thus the clamping Y 4 at right angles thereto with the parts thereof disposed to opposite sides of the latter being of appreciable length.

As indicated in Fig. l, a wall construction employing an embodiment of the marginal clip device of the present invention as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 incl. may include suitable floor construction 25 or structural elements thereof on which are supported laterally-spaced, verticallyextending wall studs 26-26 of common channel type to which are secured or anchored adjacent panel units 27-27 by clip devices 28-28. As will be seen from Figs. 2 and 3, such channel stud preferably includes a slotted web 29 and side flanges 30, 30 with the outer face 31 of one of the latter constituting a panel-abutting edge structure of appreciable width and including a laterally-ofiset, longitudinally-extending projection along one side thereof in the form of a side flange. Adjacent edge zones of the pair of panel units 27, 27 illustrated in Fig. 2 feature, as shown, juxtaposed spaced edges 32 and 32 which together generally define a seam plane extending generally normal to a plane in which the outer faces of the panel units are disposed.

The intermediate clip device embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 incl. is formed from a single piece of re silient wire bent to the illustrated shape to form oppositely-extending loop portions 33 and 34 disposed in a common flat plane to bridge across the seam plane and abut against the outer faces of the juxtaposed spaced panel edges 32 and 32. In the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 incl. the loop portions 33 and 34 actually are substantially complementary half portions of a single, approximately closed flat loop of triangular formation with the three sides thereof forming successive portions of the section of the single piece of resilient wire which is bent to form the loop. At terminal point 35 of the'triangular loop consisting of the opposed loop portions 33 and 34, the resilient wire is bent rearward substantially normal to the plane of the loop to provide one of a pair of spacing means which in this embodiment preferably is in the form of a return bent element or member 36 of general hairpin shape, asshown. At terminal point 37 the wire is bent to provide a succeeding bridge portion 38 which extends from the hairpin spacing member 36 across the loop to a terminal point 39 in the vicinity of the opposite side of the loop where the wire is again bent rearwardly to provide the second of the pair of spacing elements or members 40 laterally-spaced as shown from the spacing element 36. Clamping means are provided by the remaining terminal portion of the wire extending from integral connection with spacing element 40 at a first point on the terminal portion to a third point defined by free end 42. Such clamping means includes a hook section 43 which is bent in behind the loop consisting of the opposed portions 33 and 34 to hook in behind the laterally-offset, longitudinallyextendiig projection of the channel member 26 in the form of its side flange 30. At a second point 44 on the terminal portion the wire is reversely bent to provide a clamping extension 45 disposed in a plane generally parallel to and spaced rearward of the plane of the loop portions 33 and 34 with this clamping extension being arranged generally normal to the seam plane which is defined by the pair of laterally-spaced spacing elements 36 and 40. The clamping extension 45 is so located and of such length as to provide portions thereof behind both of the loop portions 33 and 34 which extends along the rear side of the lateral channel flange 30 and forms with the loop a pair of oppositely-disposed slots on opposite sides of the laterally-spaced spacing elements 36 and 40, into which are forced the opposed edges 32 and 32 of the pair of adjacent panel units 27, 27 to be clamped thereby to the outer face31 of the channel flange 30.

In use of the intermediate clip devce in the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 incl., one of the pair of panel units will be held against the outer face 31 of the lateral channel flange 30 and the clip device 28 will be tilted laterally to swing clamping extension 45 blindly in behhfd tiie channel flange 30 beyond or appreciably above the edge 32 of the panel unit. The clip device 28 will then be turned back to orient its loop generally parallel to the outer face of the panel edge zone thereby swinging spacing element 36 in alongside of channel web 29. Thereafter the clip device 28 will he slid along channel flange 30 so that the loop portion 34 will be wedged over the outer face of the panel edge 32 to clamp the latter and the channel flange 30 between this loop portion and the clamping extension 45. Since the loop portion 34 has appreciable lap with the outer face of the edge zone of the panel unit 27 and the clamping extension 45 has line contact with the rear face of the side flange 30 of considerable extent, the clip device 28 securely clamps the panel edge to the panel-abutting edge structure of channel 26 (provided by the flange face 31) without undue tilting, leaving between the loop portion 33 and the flange face a slot into which the edge zone of the adiacent panel unit may be slid with force or wedged to provide the assembly illustrated in Fig. 2. It will also be noted from Figs. 2 and 3 that the laterally-spaced spacing elements 36 and 40 extend to opposite sides of the panel-abutting edge structure provided by the channel side flange 30 and that they space the opposed edges 32 and 32 of the adjacent pair of panel units 27 and 27. In fact, the bridging section 38 also may be disposed in the seam provided between those spaced panel edges 32 and 32, as will be noted from Fig. 3.

As shown in Fig. 5, an embodiment of the intermediate clip means of the present invention may be in the form of a device 128 in which opposed loop portions 133 and .134 together form a substantially circular flat loop. Also, the embodiment of the intermediate clip device of the present invention illustrated in Fig. 5 indicates that the hook portion may extend from integral connection with spacing element 40 directly back behind bridging section 38 'to a point 46.where it may be bent substantially noranal to form with the clamping extension 45 a hairpin- :haped portion 143, as shown. Thus, in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 4 incl. the hook portion 43 extends obliquely from point 41 at the rear end of spacing element 40 to terminal point 44 where it is integrally connected with the clamping extension 45, while in the Fig. 5 embodiment, that hook portion is in the shape of an 'L-shaped section and performs a similar function.

In Figs. 6 and 7, a pair of adjacent panel units 27, 27 are shown clamped by another embodiment of the intermediate clip device 228 to a furring channel 126 which has a lateral side flange 30 providing a panel-abutting edge structure in the form of an outer flange face 31. The intermediate clip device 228 has a pair of oppositelyextending loop portions 233 and 234 provided by bending the loop section in S-shape. One end of the S-shaped loop structure consisting of the pair of opposed loop portions 233 and 234 is bent rearwardly at 135 substantially normal to the flat plane in which the loop .portions are disposed to provide a terminal spacing element ormember 136 to abut against the outer side of the furring channel web 129. The other end of the S-shaped loop section is bent at the point 139 rearwardly also substantially normal to the plane of the loop section to provide the second spacing element or member 140 of the pair of laterally-spaced spacing elements. The shape of the 'terminal portion which provides the clamping means of the embodiment of the intermediate clip device illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 preferably is similar to thatof the clamping means provided in the clip device 28 of the Figs. 1 to 4 incl. embodiment and consists of oblique hook portion 43 extending from integral connection at point 41 with the rear end of spacing member 140 to a return bend at 44 from Whichthe clamping extension 45 extends. As shown, clamping extension 45 has portions of appreciable length disposed behind loop portions 233 end234.

In Figs. '8 and 9 is illustrated still another formof the intermediate *clip devices depicted in Figs. 1 to 7 inclt The clip device 328 of Figs. 8 and 9 comprises a pair of oppositely-extending loop portions 333 and 334 which together form an approximately closed flat loop which may be diamond shaped, as shown. One end of the loop section which provides the opposed loop portions 333 and 334 is bent to the rear at terminal point to pro* vide spacing element 136 similar to that of the Figs. 6 and 7 embodiment. The other end of the loop section is bent at terminal point 239 laterally to extend across the loop section toward the opposite side thereof to form bridge section 138 which is integrally connected by a normal bend at 139 with the second spacing element section 40, preferably extending rearward substantially parallel to the first spacing element 136. The remaining terminal portion of the piece of wire is bent at 41 to provide oblique hook section 43 having a return bend at 44 to form clamping extension 45, as in the Figs. 1 to 4 incl. and Figs. 6 and 7 embodiments.

It will be understood that the clip device of Figs. 8 and 9 operates similarly to the devices of the Figs. 1 to 4 incl. embodiment, the Fig. 5 embodiment and the Figs. 6 and 7 embodiment in securely clamping juxtaposed spaced edges 32 and 32 of adjacent panel units 27, 27 to suitable supporting structure, such as furring channel 126. The oppositely-extending loop portions 333 and 334 of the loop section respectively lap the edge zones of the juxtaposed panel units 27, 27 with the laterally-spaced spacing elements 136 and 140 disposed to the outer side respectively of the channel web 129 and the free edge of lateral flange 30 with the clamping extension disposed behind the latter and extending across the seam plane. Thus, the bridging section 138 extends across from one side of the loop section to the vicinity of the other side thereof, sub-dividing it into similar loop portions 333 and 334, and the clamping extension 45 extends across the seam plane substantially at right angles to the bridging section so that portions of the clamping extension of appreciable length are disposed behind the two loop portions as shown. The embodiment of the intermediate clip device 328 illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 also has the virtue of being easily formed with a minimum of bending operations in mass production, thereby assuring economy in manufacture.

In Fig. 10 is illustrated a still further embodiment of the intermediate clip device of the present invention which has oppositely-extending loop portions 433 and 434 together forming a generally diamond-shaped loop section from opposite sides of which extend rearwardly laterally-spaced spacing means or elements 236 and 140. In order to form the embodiment of Fig. 10 a hairpin bend is formed substantially in the middle of an elongated piece of resilient wire and at the respective ends of the hairpin bend at terminal points 35 and 137 the wire is bent substantially at right angles to form two terminal portions with one being bent to V-shape to provide loop portion 433 and the other similarly bent in opposite direction to provide loop portion 434. The terminal portions are then respectively bent at terminal points 239 and 239 to provide a pair of rearwardly-extending portions 140, 140 which together serve as the second spacing element. Each terminal portion is then bent at the rear end of spacing element portion 140 at terminal point 41 to provide oblique hook section 43 and these terminal portions are disposed in opposite directions as shown with each being bent at 144 to provide oppositely-extending clamping extensions 145 which together serve the purpose of the single clamping extension of the forms of the intermediate clip devices illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9 incl. In the clip device 428 of Fig. 10, the loop portions 433 and 434 are disposed generally in a common flat plane with .the clamping extensions 145, 145 being substantially aligned and disposed in a plane generally parallel to the loop plane and spaced appreciably to the rear thereof so as to clamp between them and the loop portions the I extension of the supporting member and the juxtaposed opposed edges of a pair of panel units, as previously explained.

In the Fig. 11 embodiment, the intermediate clip device 528 is somewhat similar to that illustrated in Fig. with, however, the difference that terminal portions 336, 336 together form one of the spacing elements and clamping section 245 is provided as an elongated loop forming the mid portion of the piece of resilient wire connected at terminal points 244, 244 to portions 240, 240, which together serve as the other spacing element. In the Fig. 11 embodiment, the plane of the clamping loop 245 is preferably generally parallel to the common plane of the loop portions 433 and 434.

In Fig. 12 is illustrated a portion of a wall structure which may include a stud channel 26 having one end, such as its lower end 47, seated, if desired, in a floor channel 48 preferably oriented as shown with its web 49 supporting the stud end 47 and its side flanges 50, 50 extending upwardly along the outer sides of flanges 30, 30 of the stud channel. Juxtaposed panel units 27, 27 may be anchored or secured to the stud channel 26 by suitable clip devices, such as those illustrated in Figs. 1 to 11 incl., one of which is indicated at 328, to hold them against the outer face 31 of the stud channel 30. The marginal or bottom panel unit shown at 27 in the lower portion of Fig. 12 preferably has its bottom edge 132 anchored to the stud channel 26 and the floor channel 48 by means of a marginal clip device 51 so that the bottom edge zone of the panel is held in lapped relation to floor channel flange 50. As shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the marginal clip device 51 preferably consists of a single elongated piece of resilient metallic material having a pair of oppositely-disposed bights 52 and 53 provided by return bends respectively at 54 and 55 in its end sections 56 and 57, with one bight 52 having snap engagement over j and down about the floor channel flange 50 and the other bight 53 having upward snap engagement beneath and about the bottom edge zone 132 of panel unit 27. For this purpose, the space between the two legs of the bight 52 preferably is somewhat less than the thickness of floor channel flange 50 and the spacing of the legs of the bight 53 is likewise preferably less than the thickness of the panel unit 27 so as to attain such desired snap and clamping engagement. Also, the free end or edge 58 of the outer bight 53 preferably is lipped or bent outwardly to facilitate entry into this bight of the panel edge zone 132.

A plurality of such marginal clip devices 51 may b employed to support the bottom edges of the bottom course of panel units. For this purpose, a plurality of the marginal clip devices 51 may be mounted on the upstanding flange 50 of the floor channel 48 by snapping the bights 52 thereover at laterally-spaced points and then forcing the bottom edge zone 132 of a bottom course panel unit 27 down into the bights 53 of the marginal clip devices. The top edges of the panel units may then be secured to the stud channels by intermediate clip devices, such as of the type illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 at 328. The next course of panel units thereabove will then have their bottom edges supported by the latter intermediate clip devices and so on. Of course, the clip devices 51 may be employed for like anchorage of head zones of panel units to ceiling channels in similar but inverted fashion.

If it is desired to employ marginal clip devices similar to those illustrated at 51 not only to anchor marginal edge zones of panel units to supporting end channels, such as floor channel 48, but also simultaneously to clamp thereto a trim or baseboard channel, this may be accomplished in the manner illustrated in Fig. 14. Marginal clip device 151 may have a pair of oppositelydisposed bights 152 and 153 formed by reverse bends at.154 and 155 respectively to have snap engagement over-channel flange 50 and edgezone 132 of panel unit' 27, as shown in Fig. 14. The free end portionls'l of the clip device 151 which forms the outer leg of the bight 153 may be extended to a length somewhat less than the width of a trim or baseboard channel 58. The trim channel 58 may be provided with an inturned bottom flange 59, the inner edge of which is adapted to bear against a portion of the leg 157 of the clip 151, preferably in the vicinity of the return bend as shown. The trim channel 58 also has a blind anchoring flange 60 turned in behind the main portion thereof to extend downwardly so as to catch over and behind free end 61 of the clip leg 157 to be clamped between the latter and the outer face 62 of panel unit 27. Preferably, the free end 61 of the clip device is bent outwardly as shown to provide a guiding lip for facilitating reception of the inturned blind flange 60 of trim channel 58, and also preferably is shaped as shown by being bent inwardly at 63 and then outwardly at 64 to provide a clamping nose behind which the blind flange 60 of trim channel 58 is seated.

Although the marginal clip device 151 of Figs. '14 and 15 may be employed in substitution for marginal clip devices 51 of Figs. 12 and 13 whenever a trim channel, such as that illustrated at 58 is to be anchored thereby, one may, if he wishes, supplement the marginal clip devices 51 with modified forms of the marginal clip devices 151, such as that illustrated at 65 in Fig. 16. The clip device 65 illustrated in Fig. 16 is similar to the clip device 151 shown in Figs. 14 and 15 but with the omission of the second flange bight 152. The inner end portion 256 of marginal clip device 65 is thus foreshortened so that bight 153 is provided by reverse bend 155 in which to seat the marginal edge 132 of panel unit 27 with the outer leg 157 bent to provide a clamping nose at 64 and the flared lip 61 for clamping a trim channel blind flange, such as that shown at 60 in Fig. 14, to the outer face 62 of the panel unit. In such case, the marginal edge of the panel unit is clamped to the ceiling or floor channel 48 by a series of clip devices, such as those illustrated at 51 in Figs. 12 and 13.

As shown in Figs. 17 and 20, the form of the marginal clip device illustrated at 51 in Figs. 12 and 13 does not require that it be formed from a flat strip of resilient metallic material but may be constructed from an elon' gated piece of resilient wire circular or otherwise shaped in cross section. Such a marginal clip device 251 will have a pair of oppositely disposed bights 252 and 253 respectively formed by reverse bends 254 and 255 with the outer terminal end portion 257 being bent outwardly at its free end 257 to facilitate entry of the marginal -end zone 132 of a panel unit 27.

The marginal clip device of the present invention may also be provided in the form of a dual-section one-piece marginal clip device 351 which preferably includes a pair of laterally-spaced S-shaped sections, each similar to the clip device 251, as will be seen from Figs. 17, 19 and 21. For this purpose, a mid-section 66 of a piece of resilient wire may be bent at opposite ends 67, 67 substantially normal thereto to provide end portions, each of which is then shaped in the fashion of the clip device 251 to provide oppositely-disposed bights 252 and 253 by bends respectively at 254 and 255. Such a dual-section clip device as that illustrated at 351 is useful not only to perform the function of marginal clip devices 51 and 251 but also may have the bridging section 66 of each of such length that the inner legs of end portions 256, 256 of the S-shaped sections will lie respectively outwardly of and adjacent the outer face of channel web 29 and the free edge of the side flange 30 so as to prevent lateral movement relative thereto.

Thus, clip devices of the type illustrated at 351 in Figs. 17, 19 and 21 may be employed not only to hold marginal edges of panel units 27 to end channels, such as 48, but also to maintain location relative to structural t 9 channels arranged at right angles to the end channel.

As indicated in Fig. 22, marginal clip devices of dual construction, such as that illustrated at 351 in Figs. 17, 19 and 21, may be modified in shape with attainment of similar functioning. For example, a marginal clip device 451 may have its terminal end portions provided with return bends at 254, 254 to provide flange-receiving bights 252, 252 but with the other return bends formingthe second bights for the panel edge provided with right angle or normal bends at 68, 68 'to extend toward each other to points 69, 69, there to be bent again upwardly at right angles to form the outer legs 251, 257 of the outward, bights connected together at their upper ends by bridging section 166. Also, it will be understood that the outer legs 257, 257 of the margihal clip devices 351 and 451 of Figs. 17, 19 and 21 incl. of Fig. 22 may have slight outward bends therein near their upper ends where they have integral connection with the bridging sections 66 and 166 so as to lip outwardly the latter for facilitating reception of panel edges.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above,

among those made apparent from the preceding description, are eificiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to he understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In the combination of a pair of panel units having juxtaposed spaced edges and a panel-supporting member having a panel-abutting edge structure of appreciable width including a laterally-ofiset longitudinally-extending projection along one side thereof, a panel supporting clip comprising a single piece of resilient wire bentto form oppositely-extending loop portions in a common plane to bridge across and abut against the outer faces of such juxtaposed spaced panel edges, two laterally-spaced spacing means extending rearwardly from said loop portions to be located toopposite sides of the panel-abutting edge structure of such panel-supporting member, portions of each of said laterally-spaced s'p'a'cing means disposed between and spacing the juxtaposed panel edges generally to define a seam plane, and clamping means extending intogrally from one of said spacing means bent inwardly behind said loop portions for hooking in behind the laterally-offset longitudinally-extending projection of said member, said clamping means having an elongated portion disposed in a plane generally parallel to and spaced rearward of the plane of said loop portions and arranged generally normal to and crossing the seam plane with location of parts 'of said elongated portion behind both of said loop pdrti'ons to extend along the rear side of said laterally-offset longitudinally-extending projection.

2. In the combination of a pair of panel units having juxtaposed spaced edges'and a panel-supporting member having a panel-abutting edge structure of appreciable width including a laterally-offset longitudinally-extending projection along'one side thereof, a panel supporting clip comprising a single piece of resilient wire bent to form oppositely ext'endin'g loop portions in 'a common plane to bridge across and abut against the outer faces of such juxtaposed spaced panel edges, two laterally-spaced spacing elements extending rearwardly from said loop portions to be located to opposite sides of the panel-abutting edge structure of such panel-supporting member portions of said spacing elements disposed between and spacing the juxtaposed panel edges to define a seam plane, and a terminal portion extending integrally from one ofs'aid spacing elements bent inwardly behind said loop portions for hooking in behind the laterally-ofiset longitudinallyext'e'nding projection of said member and then reversely to provide a clamping extension disposed in a plane gen erally parallel to and spaced rearward of the plane of said loop portions, said clamping extension being arranged generally normal to and crossing the seam plane thereby locating portions of said extension behind both of said loop portions to extend along the rear side of said laterally-offset longitudinally-extending projection.

3. The clip means as defined in claim 2 characterized by said terminal portion having a connecting section extending from a first point of integral connection with one of said spacing elements to a second point on one side of the seam plane and a succeeding section extending from integral connection with said first section at said second point back across said seam plane to a third point on the other side of the latter with the section between the second and 'third points being generally straight and constituting said generally normal clamping extension.

4. The clip means as defined in claim 3 characterized by said connecting section of said terminal portion extending obliquely from the point of integral connection with said spacing element to the second point of integral connection with said clamping section to hook in behind the laterally-ofiset longitudinally-extending projection in the vicinity of the second point of integral connection.

5. The clip means as defined in claim 3 characterized by said connecting section of said terminal portion extending first from the point of integral connection with said spacing element through a return bend generally in said seam plane to provide hooking means to extend in behind said laterally-ofiset projection, the remainder of said connection section then extending substantially normal of said hooking means to the second point and there being connected by a return bend to said clamping ex"- tension.

6. The clip means as defined in claim 2 characterized by said oppositely-extending loop portions being provided as sections of a common loop on opposite sides thereof, said loop constituting a shaped end of said piece of wire with integral connection to a first one of said spacing elements in a substantially normal bend, said first spacing element having a return bend at its rearward end to provide integral connect-ion with an outwardly-extending bridging section which extends substantially medially across said loop generally in the seam plane to define to opposite sides thereof said loop portions, said bridging section extending to integral connection with the second of said spacing elements.

7. The clip means as defined in claim 3 characterized by said oppositely-extending loop portions being provided as sections of a common loop on opposite sides thereof defined from each other by a bridging section extending substantially medially across said loop in the seam plane, one end of said loop being integrally connected in a substantially normal bend to the outer end of a first one of said spacing elements with the rearward end of the latter being integrally connected in a return bend to one end of said bridging section, the other end of said bridging section being integrally connected in a substantially normal bend to the outer end of the second of said spacing elements with the rearward end of the latter integrally connected "at the first point to said terminal portion, said bridging section being adapted to extend over in front of the panel-abutting edge structure of said panelsupporting channel-like member and between the juxtaposed spaced panel edges.

8. The clip means as defined in claim 3 characterized by a section of said piece of wire being bent in S-shape to provide said oppositely-extending loop portions, the

ends of'said si-shaped section being bent rearward in substantially normal angles at the seam plane to provide said spacing elements with the rearward end of one of said spacing elements being integrally connected at the firstpoint to said terminal portion. 1

9. In the combination of a pair of panel units having juxtaposed spaced edges defining a seam plane, and a panel-supporting member having a panel abutting edge structure of appreciable width including a laterally-oilset longitudinally-extending projection along one side thereof, a panel supporting clip comprising a single piece of resilient wire having one end section bent into a relatively large open loop, a successive return bent spacing element section of general hairpin shape extending rearward substantially normal to the plane of said loop for location to one side of said panel abutting edge structure and having one end integrally connected to one end of said loop section, a successive bridging section having one end integrally connected to the remaining end of said hairpin shaped spacing element and extending generally medially across said loop for location across, in front of said panel-abutting edge structure and substantially in the seam plane, a successive second spacing element section having one end integrally connected to the remaining end of said bridging section and extending rearward generally normal thereto, a successive hook section having one end integrally connected to the remain ing rearward end of said second spacing element section and shaped to hook around to the rear side of said laterally-otfset longitudinally-extending side projection, and a successive elongated clamping section having one end integrally connected to the remaining end of said hook section, said clamping section being arranged substantially normal to and crossing behind said bridging section while extending behind appreciable portions of the area defined by said loop on both sides of said bridging section in a plane generally parallel to and spaced rearward appreciably of the plane of said loop.

10. In the combination of a pair of panel units having juxtaposed spaced edges defining a seam plane, and a panel-supporting member having a panel-abutting edge structure of appreciable width including a laterally-ottset longitudinally-extending projection along one side thereof, a panel supporting clip comprising a single piece of resilient wire having one section bent into an S-shape 'to'provide opposed loop portions disposed in a common plane, a pair of laterally-spaced spacing element sections for disposition in the seam plane between the spaced panel edges on opposite sides of the panel-abutting edge structure, each of said spacing elements having its outer end integrally connected to one end of said S-shaped section and extending rearward generally normal to the plane thereof, a hook section having one end integrally connected to the remaining rearward end of one of said spacing element sections and shaped to hook around to the rear side of said laterally-ofiset longitudinally-extending side projection, and an elongated clamping section having one end integrally connected to the remaining end of said hook section, said clamping section being arranged generally normal to the seam plane defined by said spacing elements and crossing said plane behind said S-shaped section to dispose appreciable lengths of said clamping section behind both of said loop portions with arrangement of said clamping section in a plane generally parallel to and spaced rearward appreciably of the plane of said loop portions.

11. Panel-supporting clip means to bridge across spaced juxtaposed edges of a pair of panel units and secure them to a support member having a lateral side extension, comprising a one piece resilient wire structure having a section bent into a substantially fiat bridging loop means to bridge across and abut the outer faces. of the spaced panel edges, a pair of laterally-spaced spacing element sections for location between the spaced panel edges extending rearwardly generally normal to said loop means, and an anchoring section constituting an extension of the rear end of one of said spacing element sec.-

tious bent rearward in behind said loop means to hook behind the lateral side extension of the support member, said anchoring section having an elongated terminal portion disposed in a plane generally parallel to the plane of said loop means and lyingbehind the latter to extend an appreciable distance thereacross, said terminal portion being arranged generally at right angles to and extending across a seam plane defined by said spacing elements.

12. Panel-supporting clip means to bridge across spaced juxtaposed edges of a pair of panel units and secure them to a support member havinga lateral side extension, comprising a one piece resilient wire structure having a loop section bent around to provide an approximately closed loop substantially lying in a fiat plane to bridge across the space between such juxtaposed panel edges with opposite portions of the loop adapted to abut the outer faces of the panel edges, a first spacing elementprovided by a terminal section extending from one end of said loop section rearward generally normal to the.

plane of said loop for insertion in the space between the panel edges and location to the side of the support member opposite that having the lateral side extension, successive bridging and second spacing elements provided by another section extending from the other end of said loop section back across said loop from the vicinity of said first spacing element to the opposite side of said loop and then rearwardly generally normal to the plane of the latter for similar insertion in the space between the panel edges and for location to the side of the sup port member lateral extension, and an anchoring section constituting an extension of said second spacing element bent rearward in behind said loop to hook behindthe support member lateral extension, said anchoring section having an elongated terminal portion disposed in a, plane generally parallel to the plane of said loop and lying behind the latter to extend an appreciable distance thereacross, said terminal portion being arranged generally at right angles to and extending across a seam plane defined by said spacing elements.

13. A panel-supporting clip consisting of a single piece of resilient wire bent to provide successive sections, said sections successively comprising a terminal end extending rearwardly for insertion as a first spacing element be tween spaced edges of a pair of panel units, an approximately closed loop disposed in a generally flat plane generally normal to said terminal end .spacing element, a bridging section extending across and generally medially of saidloop from the vicinity of said first spacing element to the vicinity of the opposite side of said loop, a second spacing element extending rearwardly from said bridging section in the vicinity of said loop opposite side and generally normal to the loop plane, a hook section extending from said second spacing element bent laterally back toward said first spacing element to a point approximately midway between said spacing elements, and a second terminal end constituting an elongated clamping section extending from said point generally normal to and crossing behind said bridging section in a plane generally parallel to the loop plane and spaced appreciably rearward of the latter. 7

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES'PATENTS 1,069,471 Reinoehl et al. Aug. 5, 1913 1,969,244 Venzie Aug. 7, I934 2,307,899 Olsen Jan. 12, 1943 2,322,657 Olsen June 22, 1943 2,347,961 Olsen May 2, 1944 2,604,776 Goldsmith July 29, 1952 2,669,862 Miller Feb. 23, 1954 2,711,643 Robinson June 28, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 505,702 Canada Sept. 7, 1954 

